This series of articles is a PERSONAL perspective/interpretation of The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The 12 Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous began on June 10, 1935 and has helped scores of people around the world obtain and maintain sobriety from drugs and alcohol.
STEP TWO—Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Step Two is the beginning of the description of the spiritual aspect of the program—not religious, spiritual! That distinction is very important. The 12 Steps were developed in order to be “all inclusive”—all beliefs about a Higher Power are welcome. As a matter of fact, the idea that each individual person can create their own personal definition of a “God” or Higher Power is referenced many times in the literature of the program.
On page 12 in “Alcoholics Anonymous” is the question: “Why don’t you choose your own conception of God?” Each person can develop their own personal idea of a God/Higher Power. Why is this even important? Because experience has shown us that human willpower alone very often fails to help us stay sober. BUT, experience has also shown us that a God or Higher Power can help us to stay sober. Another favorite passage of mine in Alcoholics Anonymous comes at the end of the chapter “More About Alcoholism”—“Once more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Expect in a few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power.” (Italics mine)
References:
1. Alcoholics Anonymous, Fourth Edition; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. 2001.
2. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions; Alcoholics Anonymous Services, Inc. 1952
***NOTE: this article is a personal interpretation of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and is neither endorsed nor approved by Alcoholics Anonymous. ***
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